Playa Negra, Costa Rica
What puts Playa Negra on the maps is a narrow channel between rocks where the surf rushes over shallow bottom and creates one of Costa Rica's most sought after breaks.
Surfing Playa Negra
As the takeoff zone for riding the waves is concentrated on a small spot the break is crowded with only two dozens of surfers, which can gather quite easily. Playa Negra is famous in the surfing world, having been featured in the surf cult movie "Endless Summer".
Watching the surf at Playa Negra
The surf of Playa Negra is very consistent and the right-hand barrels attract the pros among the surfers. Most people come to ride the waves on high tide, as low tide exposes rocks under the water.
When Playa Negra is too crowded or too dangerous to surf you can walk over to some lesser known breaks like Playa Callejones to the south, or paddle out to an off-shore reef.
The pristine beaches of Playa Negra are dark-colored and rocky in many parts. For bathing there is a stretch of protected beach some 100 m south of the famous break.
Hotel Playa Negra with its big thatched rancho sits right across the reef break and serves food and drinks along with the continuous entertainment of surfers frolicking in the waves.
1 km inland is the small village of Pargos, a cluttering of houses, restaurants and lodgings. Most accommodations are low-key, with an easygoing atmosphere, providing the community feel of surf culture instead of luxuries.
How to get to Playa Negra:
From Santa Cruz drive until the village of "27 de Abril". There bear to the left and shortly after
turn right to continue on a bumpy dirt road 16 km to Paraiso, then another 4 km until Playa Negra.
From Tamarindo in rainy season drive also via "27 de Abril" while in dry season you can take the coastal
road, following the signs to Hacienda Pinilla, then to Avellanas and on to Playa Negra.
A public bus goes to Playa Negra once a day from Santa Cruz.